NBA Draft Scouting Reports: The Big 3

Scouting Reports: The Big 3

May 20, 2009 – ‘T-Dot’ Daniel

With the draft lottery taking place last night, it’s now time to take a look at the top 3 players in the NBA draft.

1. Blake Griffin – PF
	Ratings
	Offense:	Defense:	Athletics:
	A	A	B+

Pros

Is a beast in the post. Scores at will and can out rebound almost anyone. Has good size for a PF in the NBA. Has great strength and pretty good dribbling ability for a big man. Has one of the best vertical jumps you’ll ever see from someone who is 250+ lbs. Should be an immediate impact player in the NBA.

Cons

Free throw shooting doesn’t seem to be one of Blake’s strengths. During his 2008-09 stint with the Oklahoma Sooners, he shot 59% from the line. Considering he gets to the line approximately 9 times a game, that will be one of the aspects of Blake’s game that will need some work. Also, a consistently good mid-long range jump shot and better assist-to-turnover ratio would be assets.

Consensus

Definitely a top 3 pick. Most NBA scouts already have him ranked at #1. He’s your typical big man, but with better offensive abilities and will feed off of the NBA style of play.

2. Ricky Rubio – PG
	Ratings
	Offense:	Defense:	Athletics:
	B-	C+	A

Pros

A great play maker. He’s creative and can make defenders look silly. He’s definitely one of the fastest, and most skilled players coming into this year’s draft. Can steal the ball and create an odd-man rush like the best of them. Has the potential to become a solid PG in the NBA. Best case scenario, Jason Kidd type player, worst case scenario Jason ‘White Chocolate’ Williams type player. Either way his future looks promising.

Cons

Will probably struggle to score in the NBA with his below average shooting. Rubio isn’t really known for his scoring ability. Needs to work more on his defensive game.

Consensus

Rubio is currently the top PG in the draft. Many people question whether he can do well in the NBA considering that he has never played outside Europe.

3. Hasheem Thabeet – C
	Ratings
	Offense:	Defense:	Athletics:
	A-	A-	B-

Pros

Has the perfect size for a big man in the NBA. One of the best blockers in college history, with a couple 10 block games. Is a good scorer down low. Great percentage from the field. Very athletic quick for a guy that is 7’0″ tall.

Cons

Doesn’t always use his size to his advantage on offensive. During the 2008-09 season, he shot 62.7% from the line, down 7.1% from his previous season.

Consensus

Thabeet can play the game well at both ends, on offense and defense. He will be an immediate impact player on the boards and blocks. May take some time to develop offensively.

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Comments

Chris

At no point will anyone grade out Thabeet as an “A-” offensive player. Probably more like a C+.

There’s probably an inclination to give him a better grade because he’s going to be a high pick, but it only serves to prove this is a weak draft.
T-Dot Daniel

I agree, it isn’t a very strong draft. I rated these 3 based on the other players entering the draft who also play their position. I don’t see how Thabeet would get anywhere close to an C+ for his offense. He is skilled down low and knows how to score. Although I may have slightly overrated him considering that his Offensive Awareness and his ability to get open is below average, then again, it’s based on other players who play his position. For a big man, he’s not to shabby when it comes to offense.
http://www.dinonationblog.com James Borbath( Dino Nation Blog)

I can never recall a draft in which all 3 of the top picks could all turn out to be busts. There is a case to be made for all 3 of these guys not turning out to be impact players.
http://madbuckets.blogspot.com suga shane

Did you just give ricky rubio an A in athletics but gave blake Griffin (yes the same blake griffin that runs past everyone and hits his head on the back board during dunks) a B+?

Man, this post better get revised soon aor you are going to lose a lot of credibility…
hoblin22

I love hoopdoctors and everything but this analysis is wrong on almost accounts. The Blake Griffin was pretty on point, not sure if his defense is THAT good. But with Ricky Rubio it is off by a mile. Read any Anlysis and you will see that Ricky was one of the best defenders in spain and that is what’s getting him into such a high draft slot. His athletism i fairly average not “A” worthy, he’s quick but is not explosive off the ground. He will lead rooks in steals and assists. And thabeets offence is barely “C” worthy let alone”A”.
Peace
T-Dot Daniel

I don’t live in Europe so I haven’t seen Rubio play. I looked at quite a few videos and if you ask me, he’s to easy on his perimeter defence. He isn’t to bad guarding people who try to drive but Defense is also about rebounding and other things as well.

I’ll think about changing it.